Playing In Dung And Tilting At A Windmill

by: Bill Orr

Wed Dec 28, 2011 at 02:07:32 PM EST

Let's face it. Republican strategist and lead member of the Republican contingent of the Congressional Redistricting Commission Michael DuHaime cleverly engineered a pile of dung in northern New Jersey with the likely result that one sitting Democratic Congressman would lose his seat while the 5th District would remain in Republican hands. No "fair fight" in that plan. With Rep. Steve Rothman's decision to challenge Rep. Bill Pascrell in the new 9th District, DuHaime's first wish is now a certainty. However, his second wish that Republican Rep. Scott Garrett would continue to rule in the 5th, even with more Democrats added to it, remains possible but not guaranteed.

It was the Republican plan which moved Rothman's home town out of the 9th District to the new 5th District and 55% of his current constituents to the new 9th District. I don't see any reason why Rothman should kowtow to the Republicans and take his battle to the 5th where they have stacked the odds against him. By moving back to Englewood where he lived before and following the majority of his constituents he seeks to continue representing the 9th District and has a better than 50-50 chance to succeed. Either way, a Democrat will win in the new 9th.

Bill Orr :: Playing In Dung And Tilting At A Windmill

For the Democrats to launch a successful campaign in Garrett's 5th District is not an impossible dream, but it will require more than Don Quijote tilting at a strong windmill. To the Democrats' disadvantage, in the past years they have only made faint efforts at Garrett's windmill, so no immediately obvious challenger with broad name recognition in the area has emerged. By most accounts the new 5th District presents an advantage to Republicans of anywhere from 4 to 7%. Nonetheless, with the addition of Hackensack, Fair Lawn (Steve Rothman's current home), Maywood (Tim Eustace's home) and most of Teaneck there is an infusion of Democrats. Bergen County Assemblypersons Tim Eustace (an out gay man elected in Nov. 2011), and Deputy Speaker Connie Wagner (elected in 2007 from Paramus) are possible challengers, and hopefully others are testing the waters.

The 5th District spans a large geographic area much of which is sparsely populated with small conservative towns whose residents have supported an even more conservative, narrow-minded legislator, often to their own financial detriment. Arguing particularly to moderates and independents that Garrett has not supported their best interests, amassing a huge war chest, energizing the more progressive voters, getting help from national and BC Democratic committees, and a solid GOTV campaign are necessary elements to bring down the Garrett windmill. Certainly angry Democrats inserted into such a conservative district who did not always bother to vote because their party's victory seemed assured, have gained added motivation. With a strong candidate that windmill may be revealed to be constructed of cardboard. A victory would be a successful swipe at the pile of dung DuHaime created, add a Democrat to the House, and be a sweet success for which the Democratic winner could be immensely proud.

Tags: Rep. Steve Rothman, Rep. Bill Pascrell, Rep. Scott Garrett, Michael DuHaime, Bergen County, (All Tags)

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Playing In Dung And Tilting At A Windmill | 4 comments

Jumping in to the race against Garrett (0.00 / 0)

Just received a press release from Passaic Freeholder Director Terry Duffy, announcing his interest in the 5th CD race:

Passaic County Freeholder Director Terry Duffy released the following statement regarding Congressional redistricting:
Today I am announcing the formation of an exploratory committee to test the waters for a potential run in the new 5th Congressional District. Since my first election as a Passaic County Freeholder, my priority has always been to fight for the issues affecting middle class families. As a small business owner, I know how hard things are right now. I see it everyday. I know I can bring sorely needed working class values and a new perspective to Washington D.C. to help solve the pressing problems facing our nation.
Unlike Congressman Garrett, I am not a career politician. I know how hard it can be to meet payroll and worry about the day-to-day management of a business. Congress needs more leaders in touch with the problems facing normal everyday Americans. I think the 5th District needs a representative who is willing to work across the aisle - like I've done my entire career - to do what is best for our residents. Not a representative adhering to a rigid extremist ideology that often works against the vast majority of 5th District residents.
In the next 30 days I am going to speak with residents, talk to party leaders and reach out to elected officials to see if a run makes sense. Our priority needs to be unseating Congressman Garrett - who now becomes the most vulnerable incumbent Congressman in New Jersey with this new map. I look forward to challenging his extremist record with pragmatic common sense solutions.

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.

by: Rosi Efthim @ Wed Dec 28, 2011 at 23:56:12 PM UTC

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Solid candidate on paper (0.00 / 0)

Let's see if he pulls the trigger on a run or not.

"We are the leaders we've been waiting for." - Paul Wellstone

by: Stephen Yellin @ Thu Dec 29, 2011 at 00:09:48 AM UTC

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we need more than solid (0.00 / 0)

We need electric, exciting, and the kind of candidate who can attract national attention and dollars. I believe that Assemblywoman Connie Wagner could be that candidate.

That said, I believe that a contested primary between Duffy and Wagner could be good for the eventual winner.

by: Bertin Lefkovic @ Thu Dec 29, 2011 at 19:08:38 PM UTC

[ Parent ]